Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve

Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve (Georgian: ქობულეთი) is a protected area in Kobuleti Municipality, Adjara region of Georgia along the Black Sea coast in the northern part of the resort town Kobuleti.[1] Kobuleti Protected Areas were established in 1998 to preserve unique wetland ecosystems recognized by the Ramsar Convention.

Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
Entrance into Kobuleti Nature Reserve
Location Georgia
Nearest cityKobuleti
Coordinates41°51′47″N 41°48′09″E
Area5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi)
Established1998
Governing bodyAgency of Protected Areas
WebsiteKobuleti Protected Areas Administration

Kobuleti Protected Areas include Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve and Kobuleti Managed Reserve located on left and right banks of Shavi Ghele (black creek) river respectively.[2] Kobuleti Strict Nature Reserve occupies territory bordered by the Togoni river on the north, the Kobuleti—Ozurgeti highway on the east, Shavi Ghele river on the south and Kobuleti suburbs on the west.

Geography

Reserve has flat surface with minor erosion by the rivers of Shavi Ghele and Togoni and by a few water drains. It is peat bog which consists mainly of peat moss with hardly noticeable surface elevations which are called locally peat domes. These minor elevations rise 1–3 m above it surroundings. Bog in this area is composed of a single peat layer with thickness from 5 m up to 9 m.[3]

Climate

Reserve has humid marine subtropical climate with high relative humidity and periodic strong winds. Precipitation is mainly in the form of rain with total annual amount of 1500–2500 mm. Fall and winter are primary wet seasons.

Flora

Reserve is very rich in plant species. Many of plants are of boreal origin and appeared here during the Ice Age of theQuaternary period. Most of the area is covered with various peat mosses, in particular variety of sphagnum species, such as white sphagnum moss and Imeretian sedge (Molinia litoralis), white beak sedge (Rhynchospora alba), Caucasian beak sedge (Rhynchospora caucasica), Great Pond-sedge (Carex riparia), buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and carnivorous round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) to name some.

Local Colchic plants also grow in peat mires including Pontic rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum), Yellow azalea (Rhododendron luteum), climber (Smilax excelsa)[4] and rare, threatened Royal fern (Osmunda regalis).

Fauna

Kobuleti Protected Areas provide habitat for migrating, nesting and wintering water birds including Gallinago media, which is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,[5] Gallinago gallinago and many others.[3]

Mammals are represented by jackal, Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), badger, nutria, hare, Woodmouse, Fieldmouse, et al. Eurasian otter is included in the Red List of Georgia.

Amphibians are represented by Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica) and marsh turtle, Common toad, Green toad, Common tree frog, et al.

Reptiles are represented by Dice snake, Grass snake, Slow worm, European legless lizard (Pseudopus apodus), Striped lizard (Lacerta Strigata), Common newt, et al.

Ichthyofauna include such species as Northern pike, Crucian carp, European perch and Silver eel.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Kobuleti in Georgia". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  2. "Kobuleti Protected Areas Administration - Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia". apa.gov.ge. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  3. The Black Sea coastal wetlands vision. Georgia Black Sea Regional Initiative for the wise use of Coastal Wetlands. March 2008 Batumi, Georgia
  4. Ekala(ეკალა) Georgian Recipes A True Taste of Georgia.
  5. BirdLife International (2012). "Gallinago media". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  6. Kobuleti protected area Travel Company Georgian Holidays
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